FROM

ACTION

Nearing the 20th "anniversary" of Tyke's murder, please urge the Blaisdell Center and the Moscow International Circus to
put animal welfare and public safety first by leaving all wild animal acts
out of the show.

INFORMATION / TALKING POINTS

click to enlarge

Just before an August 20, 1994, circus performance at the Neal S.
Blaisdell Center, Tyke, an African elephant, killed a trainer, seriously
injured a groomer, and fled the arena, running through the streets of
Honolulu for more than 30 minutes. After law enforcement shot Tyke with 86
bullets, she collapsed dead in the street. This tragedy broke hearts across
the country, united animal activists, and became forever symbolic of circus
tragedies. Now, for the first time since Tyke's death, the Blaisdell Center
is planning to allow a circus with wild animal acts to return to the venue.

The Moscow International Circus is scheduled to perform at the Blaisdell
Center from October 3 to 5, and while the circus says that it is leaving
elephant acts out of its show, other wild animalsóincluding big catsówill be
included. Captive big cats kill an average of one person every year in the
United States and injure 10 more. Even the best, most experienced handler
cannot predict a wild animal's behavior. Remember the tiger attack on Roy
Horn of Siegfried & Roy?

The use of big cats in circus acts is not only dangerous but also cruel.
Lions and tigers don't naturally jump through fiery hoops or balance on
their hind legs. They are beaten into submission and forced under the threat
of punishment to perform these unnatural and confusing tricks. Whips, tight
collars, muzzles, and sedation are often used to control the animals, and
they are punched, kicked, whipped, and screamed at when deemed
"uncooperative." When intelligent, frustrated animals rebel against abuse,
they attack trainers and sometimes lash out at bystanders, which the
Blaisdell Center witnessed when abused and frightened Tyke fought back.

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